Author Archives: Rick Wadholm

Who Was Joseph's Father?

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Rick Wadholm

I was asked today about the seeming disparity between the genealogy of Matthew and Luke, both of whom provide a different father’s name for Joseph the (supposed) father of Jesus: Jacob (Matthew 1.16) and Heli (Luke 3.23). There are two … Continue reading →

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Homeless God: A Reflection from Ezekiel

Posted on July 13, 2014 by Rick Wadholm

The God of Israel is not the god of philosophic speculations….a god perfect to reason. He is not a god unfeeling and unmoved. The God of Israel is a god living with His people. Their lot is his lot. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Exile, Ezekiel, Israel, Jerusalem, Suffering | Tagged | 1 Comment

On the Holy Spirit (for children)

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Rick Wadholm

I picked up a copy of a delightful children’s book at a rummage sale this last weekend: The Holy Spirit in Me by Carolyn Nystrom, illustrated by Wayne A. Hanna (Chicago: Moody Press, 1981).* This small 30 page book (part … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Holy Spirit | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

The Life of Abraham Podcasts

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Rick Wadholm

The final which I assigned for my Advanced Preaching students was to produce a devotional podcast on a preselected portion of Genesis concerning the life of Abraham (those doing the first two chapters did not submit so sadly I don’t … Continue reading →

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The Church for Others

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Rick Wadholm

In Sunday School this morning we discussed the core value of “community” as the church. We were discussing some of the ways in which our “community” turns in upon itself (sometimes in self-preservation; sometimes because it simply cannot live in … Continue reading →

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Tattoos of Leviticus: To Mark or Not to Mark

Posted on June 14, 2014 by Rick Wadholm

Perhaps my most anticipated and requested notes for a lecture was on tattoos for my Pentateuch class this Spring. While I currently do not write out manuscript notes for my classes (I am more a skeletal outline lecturer), I do … Continue reading →

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Proverbs Gone Bad

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Rick Wadholm

I was reminded recently of how proverbs (both Biblical and otherwise) are often abused: through universalizing their claims to all situations. A proverb, by definition, is a commonly received piece of wisdom that seems to be generally true and is … Continue reading →

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The Wounded God

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Rick Wadholm

The heavens frighten us; they are too calm; In all the universe we have no place. Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm? Lord Jesus, by thy scars we know thy grace. The other gods were strong; but … Continue reading →

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A Fairy Tale Parable

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Rick Wadholm

I enjoy and encourage creativity in my classes and it delights my heart to witness students expressing themselves through the various gifts God has given them. One of my Advanced Preaching students (Paige Koch) shared a homespun parable told as … Continue reading →

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Changing Media Living Message

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Rick Wadholm

I often hear complaints (and have offered my own) about movies not being like the book and just how much better the book was by comparison. This may be true enough, but perhaps what we are latently getting at suggests … Continue reading →

Posted in Scripture, Theology, translation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments